So this is Christmas...

Hello family and dear friends! I hope that you are doing well and survived the holidays. Our December was definitely different but we made it through and we are looking forward to this new year!

Amy and I celebrated our birthdays together at Maggiano's this year. It was mom and dad's treat.We ordered everything "Family style" and it was amazing. The server just keeps bringing more and more food until you leave! and I loved the atmosphere-very nice!

Amy and I always read our cards out loud to make sure we get fair treatment from mom and dad. Then we exchanged gifts...

Lots of family pics of course.

Amy started feeling really tired and achy and just not well. We thought she had a bad flu but then we found out it was Mono. We decided we would let Amy heal so she could enjoy Christmas.

We went ahead with our usual plans and celebrated with the Pevelers on Christmas Eve. They always have the best food and we really just love being with them and hanging out most of the day. We played Scrabble and opened presents and just had a great time!

When we got home, Jason read the Christmas Story to the kids and they made peanut butter cookies for Santa. They were very proud of their cookies and walked very carefully to put them in front of the fireplace...


On Christmas morning, the kids ran out to see what Santa left for them. Bella was so excited that she ran right past the tree! so funny. and Garrett screamed everytime he opened a gift...







Jason and I were worn out from removing all the toy packaging and twisty ties. Each kid wanted to play with their new game or toy right when they opened it. We had a wonderful day and just loved watching the kids play with each other and their new toys.


Well, the day after Christmas the boys turned 3...



and my sister was taken to Vanderbilt Hospital with an enlarged spleen and liver. She was placed in the ICU and monitored. I have never been so worried in my entire life! We decided to let the boys open a couple of gifts from us and eat some cake of course! Then I went and spent the night at the hospital with my mom.

Amy was in the hospital for a few days. Definitely scary. Then she chose to go home and heal. Who wants to lay in the hospital on their Winter break? We celebrated New Years Eve at home...

...played Twister, had a dance party with our kids, and made Smores (you know-what all the cool people do on New Years Eve!)

Then we spent New Years Day at my parents and finally had our Christmas with them!

So, we survived the Holidays! I know I am blessed. I felt like all I wanted for Christmas this year was for my little sister to be okay. We go way back...

Well, I have about 20 loads of laundry that I need to do, and 3 very adorable little ones to play Hungry Hungry Hippos with! Looking forward to a happy, healthy 2009!